Haulover Beach Park's "Kitetober" kite festival soars to a full weekend, October 21 and 22

Due to the success of last year’s “Kitetober” kite festival at Haulover Beach Park, the event is expanding to two-days, October 21 and 22, 2017, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The event returns with an armada of kites in just about every shape, size, and color imaginable, as well as free kiting activities for all ages. This marks the 25th season for this popular family-style seaside kiting event, presented by the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Skyward Kites.

Kiting activities will include kite-flying demonstrations and all sorts of kite competitions. The eye-popping “monster kites” will also take flight, such as the 150-foot flying rainbow, 100-foot squid, 30-foot dragon, 30-foot scuba man who’s being chased by a shark, and many others. There will also be food and refreshments for purchase.

Event admission is free and parking is $7. Parking fees will be paid via pay machines located in the parking lot or Pay-by-Phone.

Please note: no dogs (except service animals), no glass, and no polystyrene products allowed. Shoes with socks are recommended for individuals participating in open field activities. Those who just want to watch may opt to bring along a blanket.

The kite competitions include prizes for the highest-flying kite, most unusual kite, best homemade kite, and the kite with the longest tail. Competitors have the option of bringing their favorite kite from home, making one at the event for free, or purchasing an already-made kite.

Skyward Kites’ kite shop has operated out of Haulover Park for nearly 25 years and boasts the largest selection of kites, windsocks and wind spinners in Miami. For more information, contact Dan Ward at Skyward Kites at 305-893-0906 or visit the web page.

Be sure to also mark your calendar for Feb. 17 and 18, 2018, the park’s 26th annual Kite Day celebration. The park’s Bill Bird Marina adds to the kiting fun with Tuesday-Food Truck Nights, from 5-10 p.m. and Friday-Farmer’s Market, from 3-8 p.m.

Haulover Beach Park, located at 10800 Collins Ave., is a designated Miami-Dade “Heritage Park,” for its vital role in this community's history, environment and recreational and cultural experiences. For directions and park information, visit the Haulover Beach Park web page or call 305-947-3525.

Miami-Dade Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 270 parks and 13,573 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on Placemaking, Health and Fitness and Conservation and Stewardship. The non-profit Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade supports Miami-Dade Parks’ efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors.

Who:

Miami-Dade County Parks and Skyward Kites

What:

25th annual Kitetober Kite Festival

When:

October 21, 2017 — 10:00 a.m. - 05:00 a.m.

Where:

Haulover Beach Park, 10800 Collins Ave.

Editor's Note:

This is a two-day event: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 and 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (both days). Lots of great photo/interview opportunities with people of all ages participating in kite-flying demonstrations and all sorts of kite competitions; eye-popping “monster kites;” and large crowds of local families and international visitors that turn out just to watch the kiting activities.